late inside smoke underwaterin appearing at the center of the matter, but just as much Mariano Martinez As Rodrigo Guirao Díaz has made public these days, let’s say that what the film tells is a love story between its two characters.
They are Julián and Patricio, the son of a foreman and the estanciero, who have not seen each other for many years, and have had, since childhood, a friendship that has gradually transformed, until the rich father’s son he set out for the city
It is rumored that, after his father’s death, Patricio ends up selling the fields, with the well-known instability that this would generate in Julián’s family, made up of his mother (Norma Argentina) and his father (Louis Brandoni). It is the latter who has somewhat backward, not to say retrograde, thoughts, as well as not seeing Patricio well, because he didn’t even show up when the farmer died.
So one fine day, when Patricio returns, he discovers that Julián is dating the daughter of another farmer, whom they intend to marry. Patricio is already married and has two children, and comes to the place with his family.
smoke underwaterwhich has nothing to do with the Deep Purple theme Smoke on the water, refers to certain cigarettes shared by friends in the river. Also, the main theme was composed by axelwhose title change destiny he is more than explicit about what happens in the film.
It is 1984, democracy has recovered, but in that frame – of which not much reference is made, except to indicate the date in which the plot takes place – the freedoms with which both characters feel, or begin to feel .
bet on love
The environment can be hostile: the brother of Julián’s girlfriend is gay and her father (David Di Nápoli, who recently the accompaniment in the theater with Brandoni) treats him like a fag and marginalizes him even during a lunch-, but the film points out that you have to bet on love.
A love that, it must be said, never becomes unbridled passion in the images, because the directors Julio Midú and Fabio Junco pose and stage everything with absolute sobriety.
Mariano Martínez is more protagonist than Guirao Díaz, he is more active in working in the fields, rearing cows, repairing wire mesh and agricultural machinery. His character is obviously the one that evolves more or has more changes than Patricio.
The alchemy between the two actors is even greater than what is perceived – surely it will have been on purpose – between them and their respective companions. Brandoni and Argentina play more minor roles, but the script doesn’t allow them to elaborate or have moments to show off.
“Smoke Underwater”
Drama. Argentina, 2023. 131′, SAM 13. From: Julio Midu and Fabio Junco. With: Mariano Martinez, Rodrigo Guirao Diaz, Norma Argentina, Luis Brandoni. Rooms: Cinépolis Avellaneda and Pilar, Showcase Norcenter and Haedo.
Source: Clarin
